In-line fluid storage tank system

ABSTRACT

A fluid system can selectively include an in-line storage tank. The fluid system includes a valve switch system connected to the storage tank. The valve switch system routes fluid from a supply to an intake interface of a consumer premises. The valve switch system is operable to route the fluid in one of multiple different ways. The multiple different ways can include: routing from the supply to the intake interface through the in-line storage tank when the supply provides a pressurized flow of fluid, routing from the supply to the intake interface bypassing the storage tank when the supply provides a pressurized flow of fluid, or routing from the storage tank to the intake interface when the supply provides no or low flow of fluid. When routing from the storage tank, the valve switch system can pressurize the storage tank.

FIELD

Embodiments described are related generally to utility delivery systems, and embodiments described are more particularly related to an in-line, bypassable fluid storage tank system.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE/PERMISSION

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document can contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The copyright notice applies to all data as described below, and in the accompanying drawings hereto, as well as to any software described below: Copyright© 2013, AquaBank, LLC, All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

Civilization has prospered and expanded as society has discovered how to route utilities (e.g., water) directly to consumer premises such as homes where the utilities are used. Modern civilizations route water and gas utilities directly to consumer premises in pressurized supply lines. However, during times of disaster or other circumstances, utilities are sometimes temporarily unavailable. Consumers can store water supplies for use when water utilities are unavailable, but such storage currently requires tanks and/or bottles that are used instead of the plumbing in the consumer premises. Consumers can store gas supplies for use when gas utilities are unavailable, but such storage currently requires filling tanks via some external source and moving the tanks to connect them up. Consumer premises are currently set up to assume that the utilities will be available and routed through the plumbing provided in the consumer premises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description includes discussion of figures having illustrations given by way of example of implementations of embodiments described. The drawings should be understood by way of example, and not by way of limitation. As used herein, references to one or more “embodiments” are to be understood as describing a particular feature, structure, or characteristic included in at least one implementation. Thus, phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “in an alternate embodiment” appearing herein describe various embodiments and implementations, and do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. However, they are also not necessarily mutually exclusive.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a fluid routing system including a storage tank selectively in-line with a fluid flow from a utility to a consumer premises.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a fluid routing system including a storage tank selectively placed in-line by a routing enclosure of a fluid flow from a utility to a consumer premises.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a functional representation of a routing system that routes fluid from a utility to a consumer premises, selectively passing through a storage tank.

FIGS. 4A-4F represent embodiments of configurations of a storage tank.

FIG. 5 is a representation of an implementation of a routing system.

FIG. 6 is another representation of an implementation of a routing system.

Descriptions of certain details and embodiments follow, including a description of the figures, which can depict some or all of the embodiments described below, as well as discussing other potential embodiments or implementations of the inventive concepts presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, a fluid system can selectively include an in-line storage tank. The fluid system can be a water system, a gas system, or other system that routes a flow of fluid. The system includes a valve switch system connected to a storage tank that can be selectively switched in-line into the flow of the fluid. Thus, the valve switch system is operable to route fluid through the storage tank or bypass the storage tank. The valve switch system routes fluid from a supply to an intake interface of a consumer premises. The valve switch system can be configured to route from the supply to the intake interface through the in-line storage tank when the supply provides a pressurized flow of fluid, route from the supply to the intake interface bypassing the storage tank when the supply provides a pressurized flow of fluid, or route from the storage tank to the intake interface when the supply provides no or low flow of fluid. When routing from the storage tank, the valve switch system first pressurizes the storage tank. Thus, the valve switch system or routing system can deliver stored fluid through the normal plumbing of the consumer premises, even when the supply is minimal or cut off.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a fluid routing system including a storage tank selectively in-line with a fluid flow from a utility to a consumer premises. System 100 represents a fluid routing system, such as a gas system or a water system. For purposes of simplicity in description, the systems are described below as water systems. Such descriptions are examples only, and are not limiting. It will be understood that much of the systems can be understood to operate much the same for water or gas or other fluid. Distinctions in the various systems based on fluid type are noted.

Utility 110 represents a source of pressurized water to consumer premises 150 of system 100, such as a municipal source of water. Routing system 120 represents a valve switch system, and receives water from utility 110 to route to consumer premises 150. Routing system 120 is coupled to storage tank 130, and can selectively route water from utility 110 consumer premises 150 through storage tank 130. Routing system 120 is also coupled to compressed gas 140, and in one embodiment, uses compressed gas 140 to pressurize storage tank 130. When routing system 120 uses compressed gas 140 to pressurize storage tank 130, water can be delivered under pressure to consumer premises 150 even if the water supply from utility 110 is cut off. The pressurization of the water allows routing system 120 to deliver the water through the plumbing of consumer premises 150, and thus provide water as it would normally be delivered from utility 110.

In one embodiment, routing system 120, storage tank 130 and compressed gas 140 are located on-premises of consumer premises 150. For example, the system could be provided in an out-building or other structure, in a garage or storage space, or in a yard within an enclosure. As already suggested, routing system 120 is operable to route water from utility 110 to consumer premises 150 in one of various ways. When utility 110 provides a pressurized supply of water, routing system 120 can provide water either through storage tank 130, or bypassing storage tank 130. When routing water flow through storage tank 130, routing system 120 can provide water through two openings or inlet/outlet couplings of the storage tank. Examples of placement of the openings or inlet/outlet couplings of the storage tank are described below with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4F. In one embodiment, the flow of water through storage tank 130 is reversible, and water can flow into a first of the openings and out the second, or can flow into the second and out the first opening. Reversing the flow of water can be useful, for example, for filling the storage tank back up after it has been partially or completely emptied, especially in certain configurations of placement of the openings. When utility 110 provides a low or no pressure supply of water, routing system 120 can pressurize storage tank 130 by switching in compressed gas 140 to keep the pressure in storage tank 130 at or near the typical pressure of the pressurized supply. Then routing system 120 can provide water from storage tank 130 to consumer premises 150.

It will be understood that in an embodiment where the fluid of system 100 is gas (e.g., natural gas), compressed gas 140 could be replaced by a pump. Thus, pressure in storage tank 130 can be achieved via a pump system. Alternatively, there could be a more complex system of using a substance of significantly different (either higher or lower) density (e.g., another gas or water) than the municipal supply of gas, and then routing the stored gas out the top or bottom depending on the substance used to pressurize storage tank 130. In such an implementation, storage tank 130 may require a release mechanism or release system to evacuate the substance used to pressurize the storage tank, such as a mechanism to release the substance out of system 100 without routing the substance through the plumbing of consumer premises 150. In contrast, compressed air can simply be routed through the water plumbing of consumer premises 150, which may cause the plumbing to rattle and/or “hiccup,” but the air can pass through without any damage to the water plumbing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a fluid routing system including a storage tank selectively placed in-line by a routing enclosure of a fluid flow from a utility to a consumer premises. System 200 can be one example of an embodiment of part of system 100 of FIG. 1. System 200 includes enclosure 210. In one embodiment, enclosure 210 includes routing system 220 and compressed gas source 230. Routing system 200 routes water (or other liquid as explained above) from supply line 222 to consumer intake 224, which is an intake interface to a consumer premises.

While not limiting on the different embodiments and implementations that are possible, in one embodiment as shown, storage tank 240 is connected to routing system 220 via a first line to an opening or interface near the top of the storage tank, and a second line to an opening or interface near the bottom of the storage tank. Routing system 220 includes interfaces to the first and second lines. In one embodiment, system 200 includes sight tube 242 coupled between the first line and the second line, or between the opening/interface near the top and the opening/interface near the bottom of storage tank 240. It will be understood that a sight tube may not be practical to implement on gas storage, and a different mechanism could be used in its place. Also, it will be understood that for a sight tube for a water system, sight tube 242 should be connected between the top and bottom of storage tank 240, regardless of the location of the openings.

In one embodiment, enclosure 210 includes compressed gas 230, which connects to routing system 220 via an interface of routing system 220. Routing system 220 couples compressed gas 230 to storage tank 240 to enable pressurizing the storage tank. Similar to what is discussed above, it will be understood that compressed gas 230 could be replaced in one embodiment with a pump. It will also be understood that a pump could be used to pressurize a water system in one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a functional representation of a routing system that routes fluid from a utility to a consumer premises, selectively passing through a storage tank. System 300 can be one example of an embodiment of system 200 of FIG. 2. System 300 is a water storage system. It will be understood that the elements shown are not necessarily intended to be to scale. In system 300, water is received at supply 342 from a source, such as a municipal water supply. Typically supply 342 has a nominal or average pressure at which water is received into the system.

In traditional systems, the water supply can be provided directly from supply 342 to consumer intake 344, which represents an intake interface of the consumer premises. Intake 344 can lead to a hot water heater, to water filtration, and/or to water softening, as well as to the piping or plumbing of the consumer premises. The consumer premises can be an individual home (e.g., a single family dwelling, townhome, condo), or to a multi-family dwelling. Additionally, the consumer premises could be a business or commercial facility, a community building, or a building owned and/or used by some other organization (e.g., a shelter, a church, or other group). As illustrated, storage tank 320 can be connected in parallel to the consumer premises, or connected in-line to the consumer premises, as described in more detail below.

Water is received from supply 342 into routing system 310, which includes a collection of valves and pipes or other pathways to route the water in accordance with any embodiment described herein. Each inlet/outlet opening of system 300 is illustrated as a small shaded box. It will be understood that it is possible to route the lines in ways other than what is shown to accomplish the same routing functions. In one embodiment, system 300 includes one-way valve 346 to receive water from supply 342, but prevent backflow. In one embodiment, valve 346 is included within routing system 310.

Routing system 310 includes valves 312, 314, 315, 316, and 318. When valve 315 is open, water flows from supply 342 to intake 344. Thus, routing system 310 can bypass storage tank 320, which effectively places the storage tank system as an alternative path to the consumer premises instead of being in-line. The other valves control whether water enters one inlet/outlet coupling of storage tank 320, and whether water is routed through storage tank 320 in-line. Valve 312 controls the flow of water to the top coupling of storage tank 320, while valve 314 controls the flow of water to the bottom coupling of storage tank 320. Valve 318 controls the flow of water from the bottom coupling of storage tank 320, while valve 316 controls the flow of water from the top coupling of storage tank 320.

As already mentioned, with valve 315 open, water flows from supply 342 to intake 344. Valves 312, 314, 316, and 318 could all be closed to prevent any flow in or out of storage tank 320. In such a condition, storage tank 320 could be empty or full, and/or emptied via valve 324. Thus, a consumer could fill storage tank 320, and then shut it off from the flow of water to have it act as a storage or holding tank only. It will be understood that in such circumstances there are typically limits on the amount of time a consumer would want the water to be stored without treatment.

The consumer can have the water in storage tank 320 constantly replaced by switching the tank in-line with the flow to intake 344. With valve 312 open, valve 314 closed, valve 315 closed, valve 316 closed, and valve 318 open, water will flow from supply 342 into the top of storage tank 320, and out the bottom of the tank to intake 344. With valve 315 closed, valve 312 closed, valve 314 open, valve 316 open, and valve 318 closed, water will flow from supply 342 into the bottom of storage tank 320, and out the top of the storage tank to intake 344. For each example, it is assumed that valve 324 is closed.

In one embodiment, low or no water is supplied by supply 342. In such a scenario, valve 312 can optionally be open or closed, and all other valves are closed. Then air tank 330 can be activated and input air via one-way valve 334, which would enter storage tank 320. Once pressurized, water can be routed from the storage tank 320 to intake 344. Typically, water would be routed from the bottom coupling to the consumer intake interface. In one embodiment, system 300 includes regulator 332 to regulate the pressure of air put into storage tank 320, for example, to match or approximately match the typical or nominal pressure provided at supply 342 under normal circumstances. In one embodiment, system 300 includes gauge 322 to indicate the pressure inside storage tank 320. In one embodiment, system 300 includes sight tube 354 to indicate how much water is in storage tank 320. In one embodiment, system 300 includes valve 342, which is a release valve to release excess pressure. Valve 342 can be an automatic valve configured to release at a certain pressure, and/or can be manually operated.

In one embodiment, routing system 310 is configured by setting the various valves open or closed. In one embodiment, each valve is set manually. In one embodiment, at least certain valves can be programmed or configured for remote triggering, or set to activate when gauge 322 or another sensor (not shown) indicate a low-pressure scenario. It will be understood that such an embodiment would use control logic that is not explicitly shown in system 300. Thus, in one embodiment, the routing system can be considered configured to route in any of the ways described herein via the design of the routing system and/or via operation of the valves.

FIGS. 4A-4F represent embodiments of configurations of a storage tank. The various embodiments can be used for any storage tank described herein, subject to the restrictions provided with respect to each description below. Referring to FIG. 4A, storage tank 410 illustrates an embodiment of a storage tank with opening 412 at or near a top of the storage tank, and opening 414 at or near a base of the storage tank. Storage tank is generally cylindrical, and intended for use in an upright position, with the openings at or near the top and base. Referring to FIG. 4B, storage tank 420 is similar to storage tank 410, and has a similar orientation. Whereas storage tank 410 is generally cylindrical, storage tank 420 is generally spherical. Opening 422 is at a top of storage tank 420, and opening 424 is at the base of the storage tank. Other shapes, such as tanks with more squared-off edges, multifaceted, or more egg-shaped can also be conceived of similar to storage tanks 410 and 420.

Referring to FIG. 4C, storage tank 430 includes opening 432 and opening 434, both of which are located near a base of the storage tank. While a generally cylindrical storage tank is shown, it will be understood that other shapes could be used. If storage tank 430 is used with a liquid for compression, such as compressed air or gas, it will be understood that the higher density liquid will settle towards the base of storage tank 430. Thus, both coupling openings are placed near the base. To evacuate the compression substance, release 436 can provide an outlet to drive out the lower density substance out release 436 as the higher density substance, such as water, is refilled into storage tank 430. Referring to FIG. 4D, storage tank 440 is similar to storage tank 430 of FIG. 4C, and simply illustrates that one of the openings is near a base of the storage tank, and the other opening is somewhere else. As illustrated, opening 442 can be located at or near the base, and opening 444 is located on a side of the storage tank. Similarly to what is discussed above, such a configuration could require the use of release 446 to evacuate the substance used to pressurize the tank.

Referring to FIG. 4E, storage tank 450 illustrates a storage tank that “sits sideways,” in that it sits with a longer axis substantially parallel to the ground, instead of having the lengthwise axis substantially perpendicular to the ground as in storage tank 410 discussed above. Storage tank 450 can include opening 452 at or near a top of the storage tank, and opening 454 at or near the base. Referring to FIG. 4F, storage tank 460 illustrates that a “sideways” storage tank can also have multiple openings near the base, and a release at or near the top. Thus, openings 462 and 464 are near the base, and release 466 is near the top. Other configurations of storage tanks will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and the type and configuration of the storage tank is not limiting on the practice of the routing system described herein, except for what has already been noted.

FIG. 5 is a representation of an implementation of a routing system. Routing system 510 illustrates an actual piping implementation. In the example shown, the piping with the arrow on it represents a one-way valve as described above. Thus, interface 522 represents a supply interface, to receive water from a supply source. The rounded or bulb-like pipe sections represent valves. In one embodiment, the valves include handle portions that would extend down into the illustration shown, and thus would be on the other side of the view seen. Interface 524 represents a consumer intake interface, to provide water to the consumer premises. Interface 542 represents an interface to a first opening of a storage tank (such as an opening near a top of the storage tank), and interface 544 represents an interface to a second opening of the storage tank (such as opening near the base of the storage tank).

Valve 535 is one example of valve 315 of system 300. Valve 532 is one example of valve 312 of system 300, and is obscured by interface 522. Valve 534 is one example of valve 314 of system 300, and is partially obscured by the one-way valve. Valve 536 is one example of valve 316 of system 300. Valve 538 is one example of valve 318 of system 300. Valve 535 can bypass the storage tank, and route water directly from interface 522 to interface 524. Valve 532 can control flow of water from interface 522 to interface 542. Valve 534 can control flow of water from interface 522 to interface 544. Valve 536 can control flow of water from interface 542 to interface 524. Valve 538 can control flow of water from interface 544 to interface 524. In one embodiment, routing system 510 includes interface 552, which connects interface 542 to a pressurization mechanism, such as a tank of compressed air, or a pump.

FIG. 6 is another representation of an implementation of a routing system. Routing system 610 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a piping implementation. In the example shown, the piping with the arrow on it represents a one-way valve as described above. Interface 622 represents a supply interface, to receive water from a supply source. Similar to system 510 above, the rounded or bulb-like pipe sections represent valves. Not all valves are visible from the perspective in routing system 610. The valves illustrated include handle portions. Interface 624 represents a consumer intake interface, to provide water to the consumer premises. Interface 642 represents an interface to a first opening of a storage tank (such as an opening near a top of the storage tank), and interface 644 represents an interface to a second opening of the storage tank (such as opening near the base of the storage tank).

Valve 635 is one example of valve 315 of system 300. Valve 636 is one example of valve 316 of system 300. Valve 638 is one example of valve 318 of system 300. Valve 632 is one example of valve 312 of system 300, and is obscured back in the area pointed to by the arrow. Valve 634 is one example of valve 314 of system 300, and is obscured back in the area pointed to by the arrow. Valve 635 can bypass the storage tank, and route water directly from interface 622 to interface 624. Valve 632 can control flow of water from interface 622 to interface 642. Valve 634 can control flow of water from interface 622 to interface 644. Valve 636 can control flow of water from interface 642 to interface 624. Valve 638 can control flow of water from interface 644 to interface 624. In one embodiment, routing system 610 includes an interface to a pressurization mechanism, such as a tank of compressed air, or a pump.

Besides what is described herein, various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments and implementations without departing from their scope. Therefore, the illustrations and examples herein should be construed in an illustrative, and not a restrictive sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water system comprising: a water storage tank; a valve switch system connected to the water storage tank, having a one-way valve interface to couple to an on-premises water supply line that provides a pressurized water supply, and having an interface to a tank of compressed gas, the valve switch system operable to, when the water supply line provides the pressurized water supply, route water from the water supply line to an intake interface of a consumer premises, passing through the water storage tank; when the water supply line provides the pressurized water supply, route water from the water supply line to the intake interface bypassing the water storage tank; and when the water supply line provides a reduced pressure water supply, pressurize the water storage tank with the compressed gas, and route water from the pressurized water storage tank to the intake interface.
 2. The water system of claim 1, wherein the water storage tank includes a first inlet/outlet coupling and a second inlet/outlet coupling, at least one of which is located near a base of the water storage tank and wherein the valve switch system further includes a first interface to the first inlet/outlet coupling and a second interface to the second inlet/outlet coupling.
 3. The water system of claim 2, wherein the first inlet/outlet coupling is near a top of the water storage tank, and the second inlet/output coupling is near the base of the water storage tank.
 4. The water system of claim 3, wherein the valve switch system is operable to, when the water supply line provides the pressurized water supply, route the water from the water supply line through the top of the water storage tank and from the base of the water storage tank to the intake interface.
 5. The water system of claim 3, wherein the valve switch system is operable to, when the water supply line provides the pressurized water supply, route the water from the water supply line through the base of the water storage tank and from the top of the water storage tank to the intake interface.
 6. The water system of claim 3, further comprising a sight tube coupled between the first interface and the second interface.
 7. The water system of claim 1, wherein the water supply line providing a reduced pressure water supply comprises the water supply line being shut off.
 8. The water system of claim 1, wherein the on-premise water supply line comprises a municipal utility water supply line to the consumer premises.
 9. The water system of claim 8, further comprising a regulator connected to the interface to the tank of compressed gas to, when pressurizing the storage tank, regulate pressurization to approximately match municipal pressure of the municipal utility water supply line.
 10. A system comprising: a storage tank; a valve switch system connected to the storage tank, having a one-way valve interface to couple to an on-premise supply line that provides a pressurized flow of fluid to a consumer premises, and having an interface to a pump coupled to the storage tank, the valve switch system operable to, when the supply line provides the pressurized flow of fluid, route the fluid from the supply line to an intake interface of the consumer premises passing through the storage tank; when the supply line provides the pressurized flow of fluid, route the fluid from the supply line to the intake interface bypassing the storage tank; and when the supply line provides a reduced pressure flow of fluid, pressurize the storage tank with the pump, and route the fluid from the pressurized storage tank to the intake interface.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the fluid comprises water.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the fluid comprises natural gas.
 13. A method comprising: configuring a valve switch system coupled to a water storage tank to output water to an intake interface of a consumer premises, including one of configuring the valve switch system to receive water from an on-premises water supply line when the water supply line provides a pressurized water supply, and route the water from the water supply line to an intake interface of the consumer premises, passing through the water storage tank; configuring the valve switch system to receive water from an on-premises water supply line when the water supply line provides a pressurized water supply, and route the water from the water supply line to the intake interface bypassing the water storage tank; or configuring the valve switch system to pressurize the water storage tank with compressed gas when the water supply line provides a reduced pressure water supply, and route water from the pressurized water storage tank to the intake interface; and routing water in accordance with the configuration of the valve switch system.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the water storage tank includes a first inlet/outlet coupling and a second inlet/outlet coupling, at least one of which is located near a base of the water storage tank and wherein the valve switch system further includes a first interface to the first inlet/outlet coupling and a second interface to the second inlet/outlet coupling.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first inlet/outlet coupling is near a top of the water storage tank, and the second inlet/output coupling is near the base of the water storage tank.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein configuring the valve switch system to receive water from the on-premises water supply line, and route the water to the intake interface passing through the water storage tank further comprises configuring the valve switch system to route the water from the water supply line to the first inlet/outlet coupling near the top of the water storage tank, and from the second inlet/output coupling near the base of the water storage tank to the intake interface.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein configuring the valve switch system to receive water from the on-premises water supply line, and route the water to the intake interface passing through the water storage tank further comprises configuring the valve switch system to route the water from the water supply line to the second inlet/outlet coupling near the base of the water storage tank, and from the first inlet/output coupling near the top of the water storage tank to the intake interface.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein routing the water through the storage tank further comprises routing the water from the water supply line to the second inlet/outlet coupling near the base of the water storage tank, and from the first inlet/output coupling near the top of the water storage tank to the intake interface to drive gas used to pressurize the water storage tank out through the intake interface, and then reversing a direction of flow to route the water from the water supply line to the first inlet/outlet coupling near the top of the water storage tank, and from the second inlet/output coupling near the base of the water storage tank to the intake interface.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein routing the water through the storage tank further comprises routing the water from the water supply line to the inlet/outlet coupling near the base of the water storage tank, driving gas used to pressurize the water storage tank out a release valve near a top of the water storage tank, and then routing the water from the water storage tank to the intake interface. 